LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – A 2022 Pew Research study shows that younger black women are more likely to have negative healthcare experiences versus women of other races.
This along with other factors can lead to significant disparities when it comes to black women accessing the resources they need, but one central Kentucky organization is addressing this.
Saturday marked the third annual Black Women’s Wellness Family Day in Lexington.
This is an event hosted by Dr. Tiffany Brannon with the Kentucky Association of Professional African America Women (KAPAAW).
She said this event is a way to help black women and their children connect to resources they may not get to in other settings.
“Everything is about disparities, closing gaps and barriers on different levels in the black family. Whether its health, economic, mentoring, children, family, a lot of things,” Brannon said.
Dr. Brannon said those gaps, specifically in healthcare, are prevalent here in Lexington.
“I’m a researcher at heart. I do have a PhD in counseling education and supervision, so I kind of like to look at those gaps and our research to see what are the trends, so what we’re being told by the community is that they’re not being heard and not thinking that their pain is really pain,” she added.
In addition to any healthcare resources families may need, Brannon said there are financial, transportation, and even hair braiding booths set up at the event to provide a holistic approach to wellness.
“I’m really glad to be a part of anything that is helping our young people. Young people are very important to me because they are our future,” said Marion Madry, a community event canvasser with Kentuckians for the Commonwealth.
“A lot of the initiatives that have really come from the need I see in the community, in my family, just from growing up here. So the need is here, we all know the need is here. My real goal is to break generational curses, so if I can impact one family, that’s all I care about,” Brannon added.
Dr. Brannon said she is constantly hosting events of this kind.
Brannon’s next event will be next month, focusing on breast cancer and domestic violence awareness within the black community.
If anyone missed the event but still wants to be connected to the resources they need, they can visit the KAPAAW website or email the organization at kapaaw16@gmail.com .
Copyright 2024 WKYT. All rights reserved.